Suggestions for High Head Pressure Return Pumps

[joro]

I've finally gotten the 336G reef up and I've noticed that the Return Pump I purchased (a Vectra L1) just isn't cutting it. I get return on 90% power-wise but even at 100% I'm only getting about 400 GPH as measured by my Apex Flow Meter. It's clear from looking at the tank it's not enough flow since the water it shoots out isn't even enough to make it halfway across the 6 foot tank. An amount of "crud" is also building up on the far side because lack of flow on the surface. Any suggestions for a good, preferably submersible, return pump?

For background, the head height is ~16ft and is pumping water from my sump in the basement up to our main floor where the DT is. The piping is 1" all the way through except for the locline in the tank which are 3/4".

 

[bif24701]

You need a pump like a Iwaki 40RLT, ill trade you?

 

[joro]

You need a pump like a Iwaki 40RLT, ill trade you?

The Vectra pushes ~ 4,100 gph but at the head height it’s only 400 gph. Unless this Iwaki has 0 head loss, I don’t think it’s going to work

 

[ndrwater]

Abyzz. Problem solved..

 

[joro]

Abyzz. Problem solved..

I have been looking at those but wow, the price tag!

 

[bif24701]

The Vectra pushes ~ 4,100 gph but at the head height it’s only 400 gph. Unless this Iwaki has 0 head loss, I don’t think it’s going to work

You need an external pump like the Iwaki or PanWorld.

Iwaki 100RLT, Japanese motor, that's what you need bro! Check them out on BRS!

 

[joro]

You need an external pump like the Iwaki or PanWorld.

Iwaki 100RLT, Japanese motor, that's what you need bro! Check them out on BRS!

Yeah, I'd like to avoid external if at all possible. I had a beautiful custom sump made by Rick at Synergy Reef and would hate to drill it...

 

[bif24701]

Yeah, I'd like to avoid external if at all possible. I had a beautiful custom sump made by Rick at Synergy Reef and would hate to drill it...

That's going to be tough because submersible pumps don't have much head pressure. Even the Abyzz 200 only does 28' and Red Dragon pumps are about the same. The Iwaki has 39', costs much lower and at your height with that plumbing will give you more flow.

 

[Jmblec2]

Reefflo

 

[bif24701]

Iwaki=1680 @16'

Abyzz 200 ~1500 @16'

Have you calculated your head pressure or is 16' the actual height?

If 16' is the height and not the calculated pressure then your actual head pressure lose is going to be significantly higher and then I'm afraid you have no choice but to go with a pressure rated external.

 

[bif24701]

Reefflo

Nope, shutoff pressure is 12'

 

[bif24701]

If internal is a must then the Abyzz 400 is your only choice from what I know.

It will handle the pressure while giving you good flow, better than the Iwaki but it costs$$$$$. $2,350.00

 

[bif24701]

According to the FMK flow readings I am going to assume your actual head pressure lose to be around 17-19'

 

[ATI North America]

Reefflo

Nope, shutoff pressure is 12'

I second the Reeflo suggestion, and I think you are mistaken on the pressure shutoff. They make high pressure pumps that push into the 50' range. Check out the flow on the second chart here: http://reeflopumps.com/flow-chart-all-pumps.html

Manta Ray would give 4500gph at 16' of head, and you could buy 4 of them for the price of Abyzz.

 

[bif24701]

I second the Reeflo suggestion, and I think you are mistaken on the pressure shutoff. They make high pressure pumps that push into the 50' range. Check out the flow on the second chart here: http://reeflopumps.com/flow-chart-all-pumps.html

Manta Ray would give 4500gph at 16' of head, and you could buy 4 of them for the price of Abyzz.

I couldn't find any like that on any of the reef sites I know of.

There is one more thing about Reeflo, do they not use a shaft/PTO to transmit the rotation from the motor to the pump head? Because I've heard on more than one occasion that they will start to leak at some point. Dolphin and Manta Ray could be viable , don't know much about them being used that often.

 

[joro]

Does Reefflo make anything internal or they are all external?

 

[agent462]

I have two panworld 250 ps pumps that have been running for 7 years without a single problem, great pumps. It has 45 foot max head.

 

[ATI North America]

I couldn't find any like that on any of the reef sites I know of.

There is one more thing about Reeflo, do they not use a shaft/PTO to transmit the rotation from the motor to the pump head? Because I've heard on more than one occasion that they will start to leak at some point. Dolphin and Manta Ray could be viable , don't know much about them being used that often.

Yes Reeflo pumps are direct drive and use a shaft with a seal. Yes some day the seal will wear out, but they are like $25 and last for years. They will start to drip, its then important to swap the seal before too many drips make it into the bearings which will cause it to become louder. I just replace the seal every 2-3 years to preserve the motor before it is needed. My experience with them (I sold pallets of them when I owned an LFS) the only way to go is Baldor motor. The tolerances are better so the seals last longer.

 

[joro]

So if I went the Reeflo direction, it looks like the YellowTail may be the right one to use? I want about 1000 GPH going through the sump and according to the graph at 20' head height - worst case - it's around 1,500 GPH which should be good I think. Is there any reason I'd want to go bigger and dial in down with a ball/gate valve?

 

[epstein]

Pan World... and be done.